Random Thoughts for Random People

Gram is Retired…sorta

Last weekend I went to my mother’s retirement dinner with my brother (the wife and kids wisely stayed home). Interestingly, she doesn’t actually retire until the end of the school year. I tried to convince her that if she has had a retirement dinner, then logically, she should be retired.

Everybody who retired from the school system was honored at the same time. That is cool, after all Teachers would have a difficult time without the support staff ready to help. But it did bother my brother and I that the people who were not at the dinner still got honored. For that matter, people who “Retired” after 5 years in the cafeteria got the same honors that my mother received.

But, that aside: What struck my brother and I most during the dinner is how many people came up to us to tell us that our mother is awesome. (their words, not mine). I don’t think that I tell her how much she means to me and my family often enough.

My mother has been a teacher in one room or another for 39 years (yes, she almost came back for one more to make it to 40). At the dinner, her principal gave her speech. My mother doesn’t like a lot of public attention. her principal knew this so she gave my mother a job of holding the “Power Point Slides”: A picture of Clark Kent and Superman on a piece of paper which she pointed at in a powerful way. My mother appreciated having something to hide behind.

During her speech, the principal mentioned all that my mother does… She has, in the past, taught kindergarden, first, third and fourth grades (I may be missing a few). She has spent the past twenty(ish) years as a “full time librarian”. The quotes are because she is also utilized by the administration to pick up reading classes and even a kindergarden rotation when needed. I consider myself a “Utility Player”, not only in my past athletics, but in my present profession…someone who can jump in and help anywhere I am needed. I think i get that ability from my mother.

She is also a prop master for the local theater group.

She volunteers at a children’s museum in Charlottesville.

And starting next year will be helping at the voting booths.

She enjoys her time with her grand-kids and children whenever possible. As a matter of fact, she is taking a trip with my bride and our kids to Minnesota to visit the Mayo Clinic (Autism Research Hospital).

She goes to UVa Football and basketball games whenever possible. Those that have attended realize that her voice can carry more power than the loudest cheerleader.

She has been to more music concerts in the past decade than my brother and I put together…including a concert by the Eagles that is the night before she flies out to meet my wife in Minnesota. She also took me to Billy Joel last year which I enjoyed to say the least. For that matter, she took me to a Three Dog Night concert on the lawn at JMU when I was in High School (before I knew I would be attending that distinguished institution of higher learning). That concert is still listed among her favorites (quite a distinction…trust me) and one of my all-time favorite memories.

She also roots for the Yankees…but I won’t hold that against her. She at least raised me as an Orioles fan.

The principal asked the current fifth grade class what they thought of Mrs. Morgan. They kept saying things like “Nice” and “Fun”. The principal wanted some examples and they couldn’t come up with anything. Then, one kid leaned over and whispered “She has candy in her desk in the library.” Just don’t tell the nurse. 😉

Her principal had said that she asked my mother’s friends for some stories to tell, but that they wouldn’t tattle. My mother’s response was a precisely timed “good friends” just loud enough for everyone to hear.

When her principal was done, one of her oldest friends came to the stage…a semi-recently semi-retired fifth grade teacher whose name is Cookie (I’m not making that up). My mother’s response to Cookie coming to the microphone was an equally comically timed “But I thought I had good friends!”.

Cookie spoke more about what my mother was. I had planned on copying the speech word for word, but my mother got the paper and I never got a copy…maybe someone (I know Cookie occasionally reads this blog) can provide it in the comments.

The words that were used are accurate and yet they are inadequate. Dependable, Passionate, Intelligent…the list goes on. But trying to sum up my mother isn’t easy.

I didn’t get to witness my mother at school often, but I can see why she would be so revered by her peers and loved by her students. During story time she will sit in her rocking chair and read a story with all the talent of a Hollywood voice-over expert. Actually, in my unbiased and expert opinion (that is sarcasm) she is better than any Hollywood type (that is not sarcasm). In the classroom she becomes an entertaining actress. She is shy in front of groups, but in front of a class she is outgoing and commands respect and attention.

And then, there is “the look”.

My brother and I always knew we were in trouble when we got “the look” and apparently she still has it. She was telling my brother and I a story of a child who was in the library listening to another teacher read. He is a good kid, but was apparently getting bored. He started to draw on his chair with his pencil and accidentally poked a hole in his seat cushion (brand new this year). Then, he caught Mrs. Morgan’s eye. He stopped what he was doing and paid extra special attention to the teacher for the rest of the class. My mother quietly took his pencil away from him. The kid tried to leave without it…I don’t think he wanted to get “The look” again. 🙂

When all was done in regards to my mother at the retirement dinner, the master of ceremonies asked that my brother and I stand. She mentioned that we had come from quite a distance to honor my mother (on a Thursday night). A testament to what she means to us. Then asked that her “Wenonah Family” stand. These are the teachers and friends she has made in her time teaching (35 of her 39 years were spent at Wenonah Elementary School). I like that they are referred to as her family…because they are. My mother is blessed to have such close friends, and they are just as blessed to have my mother as a friend.

I want to conclude with something poetic or at least eloquent to show my appreciation. But as I said, my mother is not an easy person to summarize. How do you pay homage to a person who has touched the lives of some may children not to mention their children and even grandchildren? How can I describe how I feel in having such a wonderful person in my life and how grateful I am to have her as my mother? My words fail me…mostly because I don’t think there are words that are adequate. Maybe a new word should be invented for people like my mother. “Saint” and “Angel” are overused. Perhaps, the word should be “My Mother”.

About

Dante – a three year old autistic boy. Sometimes referred to as “Mini Matt”

Melody – an 18 month old with speech delays (but not autistic)

I have a beautiful wife who is my college sweetheart.

I have been living in the wonderful city of Charlotte, NC for the past three years…and I am quite happy with the area.

My occupation is as a Software Test Engineer. Since most people don’t know what that is, I can tell you that, essentially, I break software for a living. More specifically, I search for defects in software for a living. For the most part I enjoy my job, but I am constantly wondering if I wouldn’t be happier doing something else.

My favorite author is, without doubt, Isaac Asimov. However, I don’t read that much. I am a member of the Nintendo generation and enjoy watching TV and playing video games much more enjoyable than reading.

I graduated from James Madison University in 1998 and Waynesboro High School/CSVRGS (Central Shenandoah Valley Regional Governor’s School) in 1994.

I have recently taken up knitting, which is calming, but also pretty dull. I am currently working on a JMU/WHS scarf to wear to football games. Both school’s colors are Purple and Gold (convenient, no?).

I pride myself on my own quirky sense of humor and intelligence and curse my laziness. All perfectly normal I’m sure.

My favorite music is Country, Soft Rock and Oldies (and that is pretty much it). My favorite date with my wife is to go to the movies. Though we also go bowling and to putt-putt.

My favorite foods are Pizza and Buffalo Wings (when I can find good ones).